Here's a breakdown of key aspects:
* Emphasis on deviance: This perspective focuses on behaviors and conditions that deviate from societal norms. It views social problems as "pathologies" – diseases or disorders – that disrupt the smooth functioning of society.
* Focus on social structures: Social pathology emphasizes the role of social structures, institutions, and processes in creating and perpetuating social problems. It suggests that societal factors like poverty, inequality, and lack of access to resources can contribute to deviant behavior.
* Individualistic explanations: While acknowledging the role of society, this perspective often also places responsibility on individuals for their actions. It might argue that individuals choose to engage in deviant behavior due to personal failings or lack of moral compass.
* Focus on social control: The social pathology perspective often advocates for measures to control deviance and restore order to society. This might involve stricter laws, increased policing, or programs aimed at resocializing individuals who have deviated from norms.
Examples of social problems viewed through this lens:
* Crime: Seen as a symptom of societal breakdown, where individuals lack moral guidance or opportunity.
* Poverty: Viewed as a result of individual laziness or failure, or as a consequence of dysfunctional social structures that perpetuate inequality.
* Drug addiction: Seen as a personal failing, a sign of moral weakness, or a product of societal factors like availability and access to drugs.
Criticisms of the social pathology perspective:
* Oversimplification: Critics argue that it oversimplifies complex social problems by reducing them to individual failings or societal dysfunctions. It may fail to account for the interplay of multiple factors.
* Blaming the victim: The perspective can be seen as blaming individuals for their problems, ignoring the systemic issues that may contribute to their circumstances.
* Lack of focus on solutions: Critics argue that it focuses more on identifying problems than on developing effective solutions to address underlying social structures and inequalities.
In summary:
The social pathology perspective offers a useful framework for understanding social problems, but it's important to recognize its limitations and consider other perspectives for a more nuanced understanding of complex social issues.